Bylaws

Bylaws

March 1995

BYLAWS for the

INFORMS College on Artificial Intelligence

A Section of the

INSTITUTE for OPERATIONS RESEARCH and the MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

ARTICLE I- NAME

The name of this organization shall be INFORMS College on Artificial Intelligence, of the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS). Herein it will be referred to as “The College.”

ARTICLE II- PURPOSE

The major purposes of the College are:

  1. To provide a continuing, specialized focus within INFORMS on the topics of artificial intelligence which include the study of intelligent systems, problem solving methods, and knowledge management, with the aim of identifying current and potential problems and contributions to their solutions.
  2. To lead in the development, dissemination and implementation of  knowledge, basic and applied research and technologies on artificial intelligence.
  3. To support efforts to extend, unify and integrate related branches of  knowledge and practice.
  4. To support the free interchange of information, encourage discussion and interaction among individuals having interest in the field of artificial intelligence by providing the opportunity for these individuals to meet and to exchange information, ideas, experiences and techniques.
  5. To stimulate the type of cross-fertilization which can best be accomplished within the framework of a professional organization.
  6. To identify, codify, synthesize and interpret knowledge, tools and techniques useful to artificial intelligence, and to promote high professional standards and integrity in all work done in the field.
  7. To encourage the education of students and the continuing education of practitioners in this field of knowledge.

The College is organized and will be operated exclusively for scientific or educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

ARTICLE HI- MEMBERSHIP

  1. Any persons interested in artificial intelligence may become a member of this College by completing a membership application and submitting it with the proper dues.
  2. All members shall have equal rights, duties, and privileges. Dues shall be payable in the Fall each year.
  3. Membership and participation shall be free from discrimination based on race, religion, ethnic group, national origin, handicap, sex, or sexual orientation.

ARTICLE IV- OFFICERS

1.  Officers of the organization and their duties shall be the following:

Chair:Shall be the chief administrative officer of The College, and shall be responsible for the general supervision, direction and control of the business and affairs of The College. The Chair shall preside at meeting and represent The College in external affairs. In addition, the Chair shall be responsible for maintaining communication with The College’s representative on the INFORMS Board, and for participating in the Nominating Assembly for the representative to the INFORMS Board.

Vice Chair:Shall, in the absence or disability of the Chair, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chair, and shall perform such other duties as The College requires. In addition, the Vice-Chair shall be responsible for recommending speakers for special meetings of The College and for sessions sponsored by The College at national and international meetings and shall coordinate the completion of the arrangements for those sessions. The Vice-Chair shall succeed the Chair at the completion of the term of the Chair.

Secretary:Shall take the minutes of the meetings and shall be responsible for such matters as correspondence and notification of meetings. The secretary shall maintain contact with the INFORMS liaison (as designated by the INFORMS Board) and shall file an annual report describing The College’s activities and financial state. In addition, the Secretary is responsible for maintaining the electronic discussion group for The College as well as keeping the membership directory with the Newsletter Editor.

Treasurer:Shall be responsible for all financial matters, including all financial records and an annual financial statement to be included with the annual report. The treasurer shall keep accounts, deposit the organization’s funds, and make expenditures in a fiscally sound manner.

Newsletter Editor:Shall be responsible for putting together the newsletter of The College at least twice a year, prior to the National Meetings. In addition, the Editor is also responsible for maintaining the membership directory of The College with the Secretary.

2.Terms of Office:The terms of each office shall be two years.

Each officer will be elected by ballot in the Fall of the year when the terms expire. The elected officer must receive a majority of the votes cast by members present. Their terms of office shall begin on the first day of January each year. Officers may be re-nominated for re-election once.

3. Nominations:At the meeting prior to the election, the Nominating Committee shall nominate at least one candidate for each of the five officer positions being filled, namely, Chair, Vice Chair, Newsletter Editor, Secretary, and Treasurer. Additional nominations may be made by petition signed by at least five members or from the floor of a regularly scheduled, and announced meeting. All nominees must be members of The College at the time of their nomination. It is desirable for the nominees also to be members of INFORMS>

4 Voting:Elections shall be held by secret ballot at the last general meeting of the Officer’s term of office. A majority of ballots cast by members for each office shall be necessary for election. Ties shall be resolved by means of fair random processes.

5.Board:The College Board will consist of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Newsletter Editor, Secretary, Treasurer and the Immediate Past Chair of the College.

6.Committees:Committees can be established at the discretion of the Chair to foster the College’s goals and activities.

ARTICLE V- MEETINGS

The College will hold at least one meeting per year. The time, place and agenda of each meeting shall be set by the Officers and announced in advance by the Secretary.

ARTICLE VI- RESPONSIBILITIES TO INFORMS

The College and its officers, under Charter from INFORMS, are accountable to the Institute for all operations and procedures. The INFORMS Board may suspend or revoke the Charter of the College for inappropriate operations and/or procedures. Each year, at a time specified by the Vice President for Subdivisions, The College will submit a report to said Vice President summarizing the significant accomplishments and activities during the previous year. This report must include a careful accounting of College funds during that year.

ARTICLE VII- DUFS

Dues to defer annual operating expenses may be assessed on all members by the Board of The College.

ARTICLE VIII- AMENDMENTS

Amendments to the Bylaws may be made in any meeting following announcement in a previous meeting or by the Secretary. The Secretary, no later than seven days before the next meeting shall submit in writing the proposed Amendment to all members of The College and the vote will occur at the next meeting. The Amendment must be approved by two-thirds of the members present. Following approval by the Chapter, the Amendment must be sent to the INFORMS Vice President for Subdivisions who will present the Amendment to the INFORMS Board. The Amendment becomes effective when approved by the INFORMS Board.

ARTICLE ix- RULES OF ORDER

Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern Business Meetings, in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws.